Learning the many procedures required to operate the gadgets in a Honda Element, like resetting the immobilizer, can feel like memorizing a dozen different passwords. Luckily, once you’ve done it a few times (or a few dozen), it does start to sink in.
What’s the immobilizer reset procedure for the Honda Element?
Insert the ignition key, switch it to the on position, then to the lock position. Remove the key, put it back in, turn it back to the on position. Now your immobilizer should reset itself.
Below we’ll get into the specifics of how the immobilizer works, go into a little more detail on this solution, and cover alternate remedies in case you try this reset trick and it still leaves your Honda Element immobilized.
The Honda Element Immobilizer
An engine immobilizer is a component in your car’s computer that ensures you are using the correct Smart Key fob before allowing you to start the engine. This means you can’t make a copy of a key or try to jimmy the ignition. You need both the key and the fob.
When a car is new, immobilizer problems are usually addressed with a software update. The Honda Element problem tends to affect early-mid 2000s models, and it comes down to the simple fact that electronic components can deteriorate over time.
In some cases, the immobilizer may need to be disabled to keep the problem from happening again. In the meantime, there are some quick fixes to get you going again.
Element Immobilizer Reset Procedure
Resetting your immobilizer is one of those things that feels like a magic trick, but it usually works.
- Insert the ignition key
- Turn the ignition switch to “On”
- Turn the ignition switch to “Lock”
- Remove the key
- Put the key back in
- Turn the ignition switch to “On” again
Usually, that will do the trick. The problem in the 2003 models, in particular, has to do with faulty soldering, and one driver found that lightly banging on his dashboard with a mallet seemed to do the trick. You have to hit it in just the right spot.
As silly as this fix may seem, it actually does seem to knock some of the wiring back into position. The problem is that it only works until you hit a bump in the road, and if you’re not careful you could crack your dashboard and void your warranty, so try the key trick first.
If you keep having this problem, your best solution may be to install a whole new instrument cluster.
Getting the immobilizer module out of the cluster can be more trouble than it’s worth. A new instrument cluster will take care of it in one go.
Plus, you’ll have a shiny new instrument cluster, which will replace anything else that might have been about to go on the fritz, so that’s a nice bonus.
Why Hasn’t this Been Recalled?
Recalls happen for one of two reasons: The automaker took it upon themselves to issue a recall, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received enough complaints that they instructed the automaker to issue a recall.
In the first instance, you might see recalls for issues like these, but the NHTSA issues come down to safety concerns. Being unable to start the car is a nuisance, but it’s not something that’s going to happen to you while driving 60mph on the highway.
There was an ignition-related recall issued for this vehicle, but it had to do with the car rolling away while in park.
Photos: Honda
